Container access control system

ABSTRACT

A portable container is provided which comprises a passing room(s) allowing entry into a second area into a first area, the passing room having at least two openings with a walkway in-between. Barrier device(s) can be located in the walkway but not connected to the first or second opening. A control room(s) can also be provided, the control room being connected to the passing room(s).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/157,011, filed Jan. 16, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,051,748, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/205,419 flied Aug. 8, 2011,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,671,624, which is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 12/818,899 filed Jun. 18, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,015,754,which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/992,126 filedNov. 19, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,762,025. The entirety of all of theabove-listed applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to access control systemsand specifically to portable access control systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a front view and a perspective view of aportable container 110, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the portable container110, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed top cross-sectional view of a passing room 30 and acontrol room 40, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a passing room 30 and a controlroom 40, according to one embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The Containerized AccessControl Unit

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a front view and a perspective view of aportable container 110, according to embodiments of the invention. Theportable container 110 has housing 20, which, in one embodiment, isrectangular shaped. However, any other shape is also possible. Thehousing 20 can be made of a durable material (e.g., iron, stainlesssteel), enabling the portable container 110 to be securely towed by avehicle. One or both ends of the portable container 110 can be equippedto be towed by a vehicle. In addition, a security system to ensure thatonly authorized vehicles move the portable container 110 can also beincluded. Furthermore, fencing 63 or other material may be attached tothe portable container 110 to surround a secured area 62 (e.g., see FIG.5).

FIG. 3 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the portable container110, according to one embodiment of the invention. The portablecontainer 110 comprises at least one passing room 30, which is providedfor controlling and directing the movement of people between two areas.In addition, the portable container 110 can also comprise at least onecontrol room 40, for housing a guard or supervisor.

The portable container 110 can be a standard shipping container. In oneembodiment, the standard shipping container can be a shipping containerwhich complies with international standards as determined by theInternational Organization for Standardization (ISO). In one embodiment,the shipping container can include the following features: made fromcorrugated steel; heavy steel framed to withstand repeated lifting andplacing; able to hold a cargo as large as 30 tons; marine grade plywoodflooring; lockable accessible doors on one or both sides of the shippingcontainer; forklift pockets; corner connectors; or a venting system; orany combination thereof

In one embodiment, the portable container 110 can be delivered to a userin a ready-made or turn-key state. In this case, if electricity is notrequired, the portable container 110 is ready to be used. If electricityis required, all that needs to be done to render the portable container110 usable is the provision of electricity. In another embodiment, theportable container can be customized by the user to meet specific needsof the user.

FIG. 4 is a detailed top cross-sectional view of a passing room 30 and acontrol room 40, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Passing Room. The passing room 30 controls the movement of peoplebetween area 60 and another area 62. A fence 63 can also be used toseparate areas 60 and 62 in locations where the portable containers 110are not used. The passing room 30 has at least a first opening 32, andat least a second opening 34, which in one embodiment is on a sideopposite the first opening 32. However, the first opening 32, secondopening 34, and additional openings can be located on any side of thepassing room 30, including being located on the same side of the passingroom 30. The second opening 34 is spaced apart from the first opening 32so as to define a walkway 36 in-between. A closing device 33 (e.g., adoor, shutters) is employed to close the openings 32 and 34 when passingroom 30 is not in use. A security sensing device for safeguarding theclosing device 33 can be employed.

The portable container 110 can comprise at least one barrier device 38in the inside of the passing room 30, which restricts a person'smovement through the passing room 30. In one embodiment, a turnstile(e.g., a full-body turnstile, a partial-body turnstile, a bi-directionalturnstile, or a uni-directional turnstile) is employed as a barrierdevice of the portable container 110, but other barrier device may beused to restrict a person's movement through the passing room 30. Forexample, a sliding door, a revolving door, moving bars, and gates may beused as a barrier device. The barrier device 38 is located inside thewalkway 36, defining a first space 50 between the barrier device 38 andthe first opening 32, and defining a second space 52 between the barrierdevice 38 and the second opening 34.

In one embodiment, the passing room 30 can alternatively include atleast one security device 54 issuing permission for a person to passthrough the passing room 30. In one embodiment, the security device 54can comprise, but is not limited to, one or more card readers, metaldetectors, biometric readers, iris scanners, fingerprint or palmreaders, explosive detectors, physical or facial recognition technology,electronic key locks, or mechanical key locks, or any combinationthereof. The security device 54 can also include a security measure,such as, but not limited to, posting an individual proximate to thebarrier device 38 to check identification cards (e.g., photoidentification cards, licenses). In one embodiment, a security device 54is located in the first space 50 and also in the second space 52.Security devices 54 can be included inside or outside of the passingroom.

The passing room 30 can also comprise lighting.

Control Room. In one embodiment, a control room 40 is provided forhousing a guard or supervisor. The control room 40 can include a controlpanel 42 to control the barrier device(s) 38 and the security device(s)54 in order for a guard or supervisor to monitor the passing room whilestaying in the control room 40. The control panel 42 can comprise analarm device 43 which gives an alarm in case a problem occurs in thepassing room 30.

The control room 40 and the passing room 30 are separated by at leastone wall 12. The wall 12 can comprise at least one window 14, so that aguard in the control room 40 can observe the inside of the passing room30 or the outside of the portable container 110. The control room 40 hasat least one opening 44 with at least one closing device 45. The closingdevice(s) 45 of the control room 40 can be the same as, or differentfrom, the closing device(s) 33 of the passing room 30.

The control room 40 can also comprise: heat and/or air-conditioning;lighting; at least one computer/cable outlet; at least one phone jack;at least one electrical outlet; at least one vent; or insulation; or anycombination thereof.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a passing room 30 and a controlroom 40, according to one embodiment of the invention. As the portablecontainer 110 has a housing 20 which comprises both the at least onepassing room 30 and the at least one control room 40, it is easy forusers to move and use almost anywhere. The portable container haseverything that a user needs to control access to an area.

Use of the Containerized Access Control Unit

The portable container 110 can be put on a vehicle or trailer andtransported or towed to reach multiple destinations, and can be used tocontrol access to an area. The portable container may be used by peoplewho have an access device (e.g., people working on a construction site).The access device is read by the security device. The portable container110 may also be used by people that do not have an access device, butwho must pass through security to enter a venue (e.g., an outsideconcert).

Use with Access Device. If the portable container 110 is being used inconjunction with an access device, when a person approaches the passingroom 30 from an area 60 and enters the first opening 32, the person canstay in the first space 50 in the walkway 36 and present an accessdevice (e.g., identification or electronically read card) to thesecurity device 54. In one embodiment, because the security device 54 islocated inside the passing room, the chance that the person will lose orbreak an identification card or device is decreased because the persondoes not need to expose the identification card or device outside of theportable container 110. The portable container 110 also protects thesecurity device 54, because the security device 54 is located inside ofthe passing room 30.

In one embodiment, the barrier device remains locked or closed until theaccess device is successfully read by the security device 54. Once aperson is approved by the security device 54, the barrier device 38 isunlocked and the person can go through the barrier device 38. If aperson is not approved by the security device 54, the barrier device 38continues to be kept locked, and, the control panel 42 can give an alarmto a guard via the alarm device 43.

Use without Access Device. If the portable container 110 is being usedwithout an access device, when a person approaches the passing room 30from an area 60 and enters the first opening 32, the person can stay inthe first space 50 in the walkway 36 and go through the security device54 (e.g., a metal detector). In one embodiment, the barrier device 38can be the same device as the security device 54 (e.g., the metaldetector). In another embodiment, a separate barrier device can be usedto stop persons from accessing the secured area 62. The barrier device38 remains locked or closed until the security device 54 or securitypersonnel authorizes a person to enter the secured area 62. Once aperson is approved, the barrier device 38 is unlocked and the person cango through the barrier device 38. If a person is not approved, thebarrier device 38 continues to be kept locked, and, the control panel 42can give an alarm to a guard via the alarm device 43. Alternatively, thebarrier device can remain open until locked by security personnel, forexample.

Manufacturing of the Containerized Access Control Unit

In one embodiment, a standard shipping container is filled with materialto be shipped at a first location. Then, the container is shipped to asecond location. The container is next unloaded at the second location.Next, the container is outfitted as an access control unit after thecontainer is unloaded. In one embodiment, the second location can beoverseas from the first embodiment.

Conclusion

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. In fact, after reading the above description, it will beapparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement theinvention in alternative embodiments. Thus, the present invention shouldnot be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

In addition, it should be understood that the figures, which highlightthe functionality and advantages of the present invention, are presentedfor example purposes only. The architecture of the present invention issufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it may be utilized inways other than that shown in the accompanying figures.

Further, the purpose of the Abstract of the Disclosure is to enable theU.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, andespecially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art whoare not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determinequickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of thetechnical disclosure of the application. The Abstract of the Disclosureis not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the present inventionin any way.

1. An access control system, comprising: a portable container comprisedof durable material enabling the portable container to withstandrepeated lifting, placing and towing, the portable container includingaccess openings defined as openings that provide access through theportable container between a first area on one side of the portablecontainer and a second area on a second side of the portable container,all of the access openings being lockable or closable to prevent accessthrough the portable container, and wherein the first area and thesecond area defining a surface upon which the container sits; at leastone passing room disposed in the portable container, the at least onepassing room having at least a first passing room opening, and at leasta second passing room opening, and a walkway in-between, wherein a floorof the at least one passing room spans between the first area and thesecond area such that the floor lays in a plane immediately adjacent thesurface defined with respect to the first area and the second area; atleast one barrier device located in the passing room, defining a firstspace between the first passing room opening and the at least onebarrier device, and a second space between the at least one barrierdevice and the second passing room opening; and at least one electroniccontrol coupled to the at least one barrier device so that the at leastone electronic control actuates the at least one barrier device topermit or block passage through the at least one barrier device tothereby prevent unauthorized access from the first area into the secondarea; wherein the at least one passing room comprises walls defining asingle, substantially linear path for each passing room from the firstpassing room opening, to the barrier device, to the second passing roomopening.
 2. The access control system of claim 1, wherein the at leastone passing room contains the at least one electronic control, which iselectronically coupled to the at least one barrier device to provideauthorization for a person to pass through the at least one barrierdevice.
 3. The access control system of claim 1, further comprisingenclosing material to separate a first area adjacent the at least afirst passing room opening from an area adjacent the at least a secondpassing room opening, the container being disposed adjacent to theenclosing material.
 4. The access control system of claim 1, wherein theat least one control area comprises at least one control panel.
 5. Theaccess control system of claim 4, wherein the at least one control panelcontrols the at least one electronic control to enable a person tomonitor the at least one passing room from the at least one controlarea.
 6. The access control system of claim 1, wherein the wall includesat least one window.
 7. The access control system of claim 1, whereinthe container is delivered in a turnkey state.
 8. The access controlsystem of claim 2, wherein the at least one electronic control includesone or more card readers, one or more metal detectors, one or morebiometric readers, one or more iris scanners, one or more fingerprintreaders, one or more facial recognition technology, one or moreexplosive detectors, one or more electronic key locks, or one or moremechanical key locks, or a combination of two or more thereof.
 9. Theaccess control system of claim 2, wherein the at least one electroniccontrol is located outside the at least one passing room.
 10. A methodof controlling passage, comprising: monitoring persons who are desiringto pass through a portable container comprised of durable materialenabling the portable container to withstand repeated lifting, placingand towing, the portable container including access openings defined asopenings that provide access through the portable container between afirst area on one side of the portable container and a second area on asecond side of the portable container, all of the access openings beinglockable or closable to prevent access through the portable container,and wherein the first area and the second area defining a surface uponwhich the container sits, the container including at least one passingroom, the at least one passing room having at least a first opening andat least a second opening and a walkway in-between, wherein a floor ofthe at least one passing room spans between the first area and thesecond area such that the floor lays in a plane immediately adjacent thesurface defined with respect to the first area and the second area, andat least one barrier device located in the passing room, defining afirst space between the first opening and the at least one barrierdevice, and a second space between the at least one barrier device andthe second opening, wherein the at least one passing room compriseswalls defining a single, substantially linear path for each passing roomfrom the first passing room opening, to the barrier device, to thesecond passing room opening; and selectively enabling, via at least oneelectronic control coupled to the at least one barrier device, passagethrough the at least one barrier device, based on the monitoring,wherein the at least one electronic control actuates the at least onebarrier device to permit or block passage through the at least onebarrier device to thereby prevent unauthorized access from the firstarea into the second area.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the firstopening and the second opening of the container are located on oppositesides of an enclosing material.
 12. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising controlling ingress and egress between a first area adjacentthe at least a first opening and a second area adjacent the at least asecond opening via at least one control area disposed in the containeradjacent to the at least one passing room.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the controlling comprises authorizing entry of a person into thesecond area.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the controllingcomprises monitoring the at least one passing room.
 15. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the controlling comprises controlling the at least onebarrier device so as to authorize or deny passage therethrough.
 16. Theaccess control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one passing roomprovides a substantially linear path from the first passing room openingto the second passing room opening.
 17. The method of claim 10, whereina substantially linear walkway is provided between the at least firstopening and the at least second opening.
 18. An access system,comprising: a portable structure comprised of durable material enablingthe structure to withstand repeated lifting, placing and towing, thestructure including access openings defined as openings that provideaccess through the structure between a first area on one side of thestructure and a second area on a second side of the structure, all ofthe access openings being lockable or closable to prevent access throughthe structure, and wherein the first area and the second area defining asurface upon which the structure sits; at least one passing area in thestructure, the at least one passing area having at least a firstopening, and at least a second opening, and a pathway, wherein a floorof the at least one passing area spans between the first area and thesecond area such that the floor lays in a plane immediately adjacent thesurface defined with respect to the first area and the second area; atleast one turnstile in the pathway, defining a first space between thefirst opening and the at least one turnstile, and a second space betweenthe at least one turnstile and the second opening; and at least oneelectronically controlled security device coupled to the at least oneturnstile so that the at least one electronically controlled securitydevice actuates the at least one turnstile to permit or block passagethrough the at least one turnstile to thereby prevent unauthorizedaccess from the first area into the second area; wherein the at leastone passing area comprises walls defining a single, substantially linearpath for each passing room from the first passing room opening, to theturnstile, to the second passing room opening.
 19. An access controlsystem, comprising: a portable container comprised of durable materialenabling the portable container to withstand repeated lifting, placingand towing, the portable container including access openings defined asopenings that provide access through the portable container between afirst area on one side of the portable container and a second area on asecond side of the portable container, all of the access openings beinglockable or closable to prevent access through the portable container,and wherein the first area and the second area defining a surface uponwhich the container sits; at least one passing area disposed in thecontainer, the at least one passing area having at least a first passingarea opening, and at least a second passing area opening, and a pathway,wherein a floor of the at least one passing area spans between the firstarea and the second area such that the floor lays in a plane immediatelyadjacent the surface defined with respect to the first area and thesecond area; and at least one turnstile located in the pathway, defininga first space between the first passing area opening and the at leastone turnstile, and a second space between the at least one turnstile andthe second passing area opening; at least one electronic control coupledto the at least one turnstile so that the at least one electroniccontrol actuates the at least one turnstile to permit or block passagethrough the at least one turnstile to thereby prevent unauthorizedaccess from the first area into the second area; wherein the at leastone passing area comprises walls defining a single, substantially linearpath for each passing room from the first passing room opening, to theturnstile, to the second passing room opening.
 20. A method ofcontrolling passage, comprising: monitoring persons who are desiring topass through a portable structure comprised of durable material enablingthe portable container to withstand repeated lifting, placing andtowing, the portable container including access openings defined asopenings that provide access through the portable container between afirst area on one side of the portable container and a second area on asecond side of the portable container, all of the access openings beinglockable or closable to prevent access through the portable container,and wherein the first area and the second area defining a surface uponwhich the container sits, the structure including at least one passingarea, the at least one passing area having at least a first opening andat least a second opening and a substantially linear pathway between thefirst opening and the second opening, wherein a floor of the at leastone passing room spans between the first area and the second area suchthat the floor lays in a plane immediately adjacent the surface definedwith respect to the first area and the second area, and at least oneturnstile located in the pathway, defining a first space between thefirst opening and the at least one turnstile, and a second space betweenthe at least one turnstile and the second opening, wherein the at leastone passing area comprises walls defining a single, substantially linearpath for each passing room from the first passing room opening, to thebarrier device, to the second passing room opening; and selectivelyenabling, via at least one electronic control coupled to the at leastone turnstile, passage through the at least one turnstile, based on themonitoring, wherein the at least one electronic control actuates the atleast one barrier device to permit or block passage through the at leastone barrier device to thereby prevent unauthorized access from the firstarea into the second area.